Monthly climate guide
New Orleans weather in May
May in New Orleans is typically hot, with average daytime highs around 28°C (82°F) and night-time lows near 22°C (71°F). The month usually brings about 131 mm of rain (wet) and is a mix of sun and cloud. Daytime highs are 3°C warmer than April and 3°C cooler than June.
What stands out in May
- Humidity near 76% makes 28°C feel stickier than it sounds.
- May brings late spring to New Orleans.
- Skies are at their clearest this time of year.
- Just 120 km apart, but New Orleans runs about 2°C cooler than Baton Rouge this month.
Avg high
28°C
82°F
Avg low
22°C
71°F
Rainfall
131 mm
wet
Humidity
76%
relative
Sky
44%
cloud · a mix of sun and cloud
New Orleans weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C / 60°F | 8°C / 47°F | 107 mm | 81% | 57% |
| February | 18°C / 65°F | 11°C / 52°F | 107 mm | 83% | 59% |
| March | 21°C / 70°F | 14°C / 58°F | 109 mm | 81% | 54% |
| April | 24°C / 75°F | 18°C / 64°F | 159 mm | 80% | 51% |
| May | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 71°F | 131 mm | 76% | 44% |
| June | 30°C / 87°F | 26°C / 78°F | 160 mm | 76% | 52% |
| July | 31°C / 87°F | 26°C / 79°F | 171 mm | 77% | 59% |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 27°C / 80°F | 193 mm | 77% | 57% |
| September | 30°C / 85°F | 25°C / 76°F | 122 mm | 77% | 45% |
| October | 26°C / 78°F | 19°C / 67°F | 86 mm | 77% | 36% |
| November | 20°C / 69°F | 13°C / 56°F | 70 mm | 79% | 46% |
| December | 17°C / 63°F | 11°C / 51°F | 119 mm | 84% | 62% |
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothing (cotton or linen)
- A sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
- Quick-dry fabrics — it feels stickier than the temperature suggests
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
Compare the months in the chart above to find your ideal window.
Best time to visit New Orleans →Other United States cities in May
Cite or embed this data
Writing about this destination? Copy a ready-made citation or embed a live widget — free, just keep the link.
New Orleans weather in May. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-orleans/may
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-orleans/may">New Orleans weather in May</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/new-orleans" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="New Orleans weather in May"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-orleans/may">New Orleans weather in May</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
New Orleans in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
May is one of the wetter months in New Orleans, with about 131 mm of rain. You can still go: pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
How warm is New Orleans in May?
Average highs are about 28°C (82°F) and average lows about 22°C (71°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in New Orleans in May?
New Orleans typically gets around 131 mm of rain in May — wet.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around New Orleans (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.